List Of Writing Conferences
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A free list of writing conferences and other events for writers. These conferences are listed in alphabetical order by state. Conferences outside of the United States, including events held/offered at multiple locations, are listed at the bottom.
Enjoy this free writing conferences directory!
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| Bay Area Independent Publishers Meetings |
| California |
| N/A |
| 3/10/2012 - 12/2/2012 |
| BAIPA meets on the second Saturday of each month. Members attend free and guests pay $10 per meeting. Meeting details are online. Email for more info. |
| board@baipa.org |
| Bay Area Independent Publishers Meetings |
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| Children’s Writers and Illustrators Conference |
| California |
| N/A |
| 6/14/2012 - 6/17/2012 |
| The 6th annual Book Passage Children's Writers and Illustrators Conference will cover all aspects of writing and illustrating for children and young readers, from sharpening your skills and completing your manuscript, to the collaborative process between writer and illustrator, to finding the right agent and publisher. Participants will work directly with and receive advice from top professionals in the industry, including agents, editors, and publishers who will share market trends and insider tips and advice. |
| bpconferences@bookpassage.com |
| Children’s Writers and Illustrators Conference |
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| VONA/Voices Writing Workshops |
| California |
| Inquire to see if space is available |
| 6/24/2012 - 6/30/2012 |
| Entering our 13th year, the Voices Writing Workshop is the only mutil-genre creative writing workshop exclusively for writers of color. Our internationally acclaimed faculty lead intimate workshops in: Memoir, Poetry, Fiction, LBGTQ narrative, Social/Political Consciousness, and Residencies. Faculty includes; Elmaz Abinader, Faith Adiele, Junot Diaz, M. Evelina Galang, Minal Hajratwala, Randall Kenan, Maaza Mengiste, David Mura, Willie Perdomo and Patricia Smith |
| 510-214-2010 |
| VONA/Voices Writing Workshops |
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| Laura Deutsch Writing Retreats |
| California |
| N/A |
| 6/29/2012 - 7/1/2012 |
| Come spark your creativity and enjoy the camaraderie and support of a wonderful group of writing women. We’ll stay at an ocean front retreat center, which will provide our meals and take good care of us. Come create, relax and rejuvenate! Includes workshop sessions, accommodations and meals. |
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| Laura Deutsch Writing Retreats |
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| Aspen Summer Words Literary Festival and Writing Retreat |
| Colorado |
| 6/1/12 for non-juried workshops |
| 6/17/2012 - 6/22/2012 |
| For more than three decades, Aspen Summer Words has been the place to be for anyone with a passion for the written word. Hailed as one of the nation's "Top Ten Literary Gatherings", this six-day celebration of afternoon literary festival, and professional consultations with agents words, stories, and ideas consists of a morning writing retreat, an and editors, bringing some of the world's most interesting and engaging literary talent to Aspen. |
| info@aspenwriters.org |
| Aspen Summer Words Literary Festival and Writing Retreat |
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| Writing The Rockies Creative Writing Conference |
| Colorado |
| 7/20/12 |
| 7/26/2012 - 7/29/2012 |
| The conference welcomes beginners, published writers, and anyone else who believes in the magic and power of the written word. Workshop faculty members have a broad range of published works, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, screenwriting, magazine article writing, as well as industry publishing experience. Working with participants of all levels, our featured faculty will help writers hone their craft through workshops and will mix with participants during events outside of formal sessions. |
| mtodd@western.edu |
| Writing The Rockies Creative Writing Conference |
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| Atlantic Center's Residency Program |
| Florida |
| 6/8/12 |
| 10/8/2012 - 10/28/2012 |
| Since 1982, Atlantic Center's residency program has provided artists from all artistic disciplines with spaces to live, work, and collaborate during three-week residencies. Located just four miles from the east coast beaches of central Florida, the pine and palmetto wooded environment contains national award-winning studios that include a resource library, painting studio, sculpture studio, music studio, dance studio, black box theater, writers' studio, and digital computer lab. Each residency session includes three master artists of different disciplines, and during the residency, artists participate in informal sessions with their group, collaborate on projects, and work independently on their own projects. The relaxed atmosphere and unstructured program provide considerable time for artistic regeneration and creation. Atlantic Center for the Arts provides housing (private room/bath with work desk), weekday meals (provided by ACA chef) and 24-hour access to shared studio space.
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| shiggins@atlanticcenterforthearts.org |
| Atlantic Center's Residency Program |
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| Write-to-Publish Conference |
| Illinois |
| 5/22/12, but walk-ins are welcome |
| 5/30/2012 - 6/2/2012 |
| For almost 40 years, Write-to-Publish has been training writers and connecting them with editors in the Christian market who want to publish their work and with Christian agents who are looking for clients. |
| lin@writetopublish.com |
| Write-to-Publish Conference |
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| Books in Progress Conference |
| Kentucky |
| 5/31/12 |
| 6/8/2012 - 6/9/2012 |
| Featured authors include Barbara Kingsolver, A.J. Verdelle, Will Lavender & George Ella Lyon. Immerse yourself in craft & business workshops with authors, editors, & agents. Topics include novel structure, revising nonfiction, finishing memoir, poetry, and more. One-on-one pitches with literary agents are available. |
| jmohler@carnegiecenterlex.org |
| Books in Progress Conference |
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| Nantucket Writers Studio |
| Massachusetts |
| Open |
| 5/1/2012 - 10/31/2012 |
| Spend time in the supportive company of women who want to explore their imaginations and stretch their creative muscles. Whether writing fiction or nonfiction your voice will be honored and your stories received in a safe and nurturing environment. This workshop provides a solid beginning for those starting out on the writing path and a boost for those already on their way. |
| info@nantucketwritersstudio.com |
| Nantucket Writers Studio |
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| Words and the Porkies Writer's Workshop with Author Henry Kisor |
| Michigan |
| 4/30/12 |
| 5/12/2012 - 6/9/2012 |
| Actual dates are 5/12/12, 5/19/12, 6/2/12, and 6/9/12. Author Henry Kisor will instruct the second (2012) series of 4 creative writing workshops. Students focus on writing about “The Porkies” in a broad choice of genres, whatever is comfortable for each student. At the end of classes, a published book will showcase the best efforts of each student. |
| angie@porkies.org |
| Words and the Porkies Writer's Workshop with Author Henry Kisor |
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| Conference On Poetry And Teaching |
| New Hampshire |
| 5/30/12 |
| 6/24/2012 - 6/28/2012 |
| The Conference is a unique opportunity for teachers to work closely with their peers and with a team of illustrious poets who have particular expertise and enthusiasm for sharing poetry with young people. Over the course of four and one-half days, faculty poets will present specific techniques for teaching poetry including sample exercises and prompts which teachers will be invited to try out and then discuss. Each day will offer sessions devoted to the participants sharing their own teaching ideas—a popular element in prior conferences. Certificate of completion includes thirty-three Continuing Education credits. Graduate level credits are available through Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. |
| frost@frostplace.org |
| Conference On Poetry And Teaching |
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| Festival And Conference On Poetry |
| New Hampshire |
| 7/15/12 |
| 7/15/2012 - 7/21/2012 |
| Spend a week at “intensive poetry camp” with writers who are deeply committed to learning more about the craft of writing poetry. For thirty-plus years, the Festival and Conference on Poetry has been a daily immersion in listening, reflection, and conversation about the writing and reading of poetry. Each day, there is a faculty-led discussion class or talk on an aspect of craft; a three-hour workshop for all; a period of silence for reading poetry and time to generate and revise poems. Each night, we gather at the Henry Holt Barn (Frost’s actual barn) at The Frost Place for readings by faculty and guests. If you would like to spend a portion of July writing, revising, reading, learning, and having a wonderful time with other writers, please join us! Learn from a distinguished and accomplished faculty. Learn from a distinguished and accomplished faculty in community with other poets. Share your work in a special reading at the Henry Holt Barn at The Frost Place. Immerse yourself in poetry. |
| frost@frostplace.org |
| Festival And Conference On Poetry |
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| Advanced Seminar |
| New Hampshire |
| 7/15/12 |
| 8/8/2012 - 8/13/2012 |
| Spend five days in August with a select community of poets exploring your artistic work in the context of a rich variety of poetry ancestors and contemporaries. Learn from a distinguished and accomplished faculty how poets choose, imitate, enter into dialogue with, and sometimes argue with the work of our poetic ancestors and contemporaries. Seminar participants will read their work on the final night of the Seminar in a special reading at The Henry Holt Barn at The Frost Place. This is a unique opportunity for dedicated poets to delve intensely into the poetic process. Seminar participants will have their poems in progress given generous and focused attention. |
| frost@frostplace.org |
| Advanced Seminar |
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| North Wildwood Beach Writers' Conference |
| New Jersey |
| 5/30/12 |
| 6/5/2012 - 6/6/2012 |
| Twenty workshops for authors, wannabe authors, anyone who appreciates good writing. Topics cover just about every aspect of writing and getting published. |
| nwbwc12@gmail.com |
| North Wildwood Beach Writers' Conference |
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| Wordharvest Workshops |
| New Mexico |
| N/A |
| 4/14/2012 - 8/11/2012 |
| July 7: ABCs of Market Analysis and Promotion, with Shirley Raye Redmond, author of 14 books for children and adults. July 14: Writing Your Life Through the Lens of Food, with Deborah Madison, prolific cookbook author. July 21: Poetry Launch, with Joan Logghe, Santa Fe Poet Laureate, author and seasoned teacher. July 28: The Writer’s Sacred Journey: Find and Write a Compelling Story, with Kate Horsley, author of six published novels.
August 4: Create Compelling Characters, with award-winning novelist Julie Shigekuni. August 11: Publish Your Book: And Do It Yourself, with Cindy Bellinger, author and founder of Blue Mesa Publishing. |
| wordharvest@wordharvest.com |
| Wordharvest Workshops |
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| Writing Institute Summer |
| New York |
| N/A |
| 5/2/2012 - 8/7/2012 |
| The Writing Institute offers classes throughout the year in all genres, including: poetry, children’s literature, memoir writing, screenwriting, fiction and nonfiction. There are 11-week and 5-week courses, as well as weekend workshops. |
| cce@sarahlawrence.edu |
| Writing Institute Summer |
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| Creativity Workshops |
| New York |
| Open until full |
| 6/8/2012 - 6/11/2012 |
| The Creativity Workshop is dedicated to teaching individuals about their creative process. Future workshop is scheduled for August 17 - 20. |
| admin@creativityworkshops.com |
| Creativity Workshops |
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| Chautauqua Writers' Festival |
| New York |
| 6/6/12 |
| 6/14/2012 - 6/17/2012 |
| The ninth annual Chautauqua Writers’ Festival will be on the beautiful grounds of the Chautauqua Institution. Live and write with award-winning poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers who share their insights in intensive workshops, reading, panel discussions, and individual conferences designed to ensure personalized attention. |
| edadmin@ciweb.org |
| Chautauqua Writers' Festival |
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| Colgate Writers' Conference |
| New York |
| 5/1/12 |
| 6/17/2012 - 6/23/2012 |
| Whether you are a veteran writer or novice, the Conference offers you consultations, workshops, craft talks, panel discussions, readings, and informal conversations that will sustain your long-range efforts or help you get started. Bring a story, an article, a book in progress, some poems, or a novel, and work with us on developing narrative strategies, verse techniques, methods of research, and more. |
| colgatewritersconference@gmail.com |
| Colgate Writers' Conference |
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| Manhattanville Summer Writers' Week |
| New York |
| 6/1/12 |
| 6/25/2012 - 6/29/2012 |
| An intensive week writing and an opportunity to work closely with some of the country's finest writers. Workshops in Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction (Memoir/Autobiography), Children's/YA, and Fantasy/Speculative Fiction with instructors Justin Torres, Mark Nowak, Kao Kalia Yang, Rita Williams-Garcia and Nnedi Okorafor. |
| camille.rankine@mville.edu |
| Manhattanville Summer Writers' Week |
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| The Gettysburg Review Conference for Writers |
| Pennsylvania |
| 5/23/11 |
| 6/6/2012 - 6/11/2012 |
| Our goal is to create a multigenerational, multicultural community for adult writers of all levels, and to offer conference participants the opportunity to work with and learn from established, passionate, award-winning writers who are committed to innovative teaching and mentoring. We invite you to help us create this community in the bucolic, convivial, and historic setting of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. |
| tgrconference@gmail.com |
| The Gettysburg Review Conference for Writers |
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| Clarksville Writers' Conference |
| Tennesee |
| 5/24/12 |
| 6/7/2012 - 6/8/2012 |
| The Clarksville Writers' Conference offers aspiring authors two days of excellent writing workshops and presentations, including lunches; a banquet with keynote speaker Alex Jones and an authors' reception; and free consultations with two literary agents. |
| artsandheritage@cdelightband.net |
| Clarksville Writers' Conference |
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| North Texas Christian Writers Conference |
| Texas |
| 5/15/12 (early-bird), see website for more |
| 6/22/2012 - 6/23/2012 |
| "We get the best Christian speakers in the arena of writing that are available in the country," said Frank Ball, director of the conference since its inception in 2004. This year, the conference includes 35-elective workshops, private consultations, writing contests, networking opportunities, and special classes on Friday designed specifically for high school students. |
| linda.franklin@ntchristianwriters.com |
| North Texas Christian Writers Conference |
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| Highland Summer Conference |
| Virginia |
| When classes fill. |
| 6/4/2012 - 6/15/2012 |
| The Highland Summer Conference is an intensive two week workshop-style class that focuses on fiction and poetry taught by some of the Appalachian Regions’ most respected authors. Students of all ability and experience benefit from personal instruction, from class feedback, and from rich times of writing along the banks of the New River in the Blue Ridge Mountains. |
| rbderrick@radford.edu |
| Highland Summer Conference |
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| Tinker Mountain Writers’ Workshop |
| Virginia |
| 5/31/12 |
| 6/10/2012 - 6/15/2012 |
| Workshops in fiction, advanced fiction, poetry, advanced poetry, and creative nonfiction. Featuring Fred Leebron, Pinckney Benedict, Keetje Kuipers, Nicolas Lantz, James McKean, Thorpe Moeckel, Daniel Mueller and Laura van den Berg. |
| cpowell@hollins.edu |
| Tinker Mountain Writers’ Workshop |
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| Through the Eyes of the Horse: Fifth Annual Literature & Landscape of the Horse Retreat |
| Wyoming |
| 3/1/12 |
| 6/2/2012 - 6/7/2012 |
| Crazy about writing? Wild about horses? Come explore both passions with Page Lambert and Sheri Griffith at the Vee Bar Guest Ranch in Wyoming! |
| page@pagelambert.com |
| Fifth Annual Literature & Landscape of the Horse Retreat |
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| Jackson Hole Writers Conference |
| Wyoming |
| 5/7/12 |
| 6/28/2012 - 6/30/2012 |
| The 2012 conference includes best-selling authors Anita Diamant, Victoria Hanley, Alyson Hagy, Naomi Shihab Nye, Michael Perry, Brandon Mull, Alex Glass, David Romtvedt, John Byrne Cooke, Kyle Mills, Tim Sandlin, Tina Welling, Lise McClendon, Craig Johnson, Deborah Atkinson, Laurie Gunst, Patti Sherlock. We feature three one-on-one manuscript critiques. |
| tim@jacksonholewritersconference.com |
| Jackson Hole Writers Conference |
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A free list of
writing conferences for creative writers, complied and updated regularly by Writer’s Relief. Find a writers conference near you with this list of events for writers organized by state and date. With our list, you can find conferences that have various focuses: conferences for poets, novelists, fiction writers, nonfiction writers, Christian writers, Jewish writers, and more. Some conferences are organized around a central genre, such as literary writing, commercial writing, romance, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, crime, and more. Other
writers conferences are geared toward a certain level of writer: some are exclusive and only for the best writers and others are open to writers who are new to the craft. At a writing conference, you’ll meet literary agents, editors, speakers, presenters, and other writers who share your passion. A writing conference is about learning to be a better writer and about learning the business of writing. We hope you’ll enjoy our free writing conference list and pass it along to your writer friends!